Photo by Tony Harrison from Farnborough via Wikipedia
Ferruccio Lamborghini’s beloved car: The Lamborghini Jarama is a quirky 2+2 grand touring car built when the company was moving towards supercars.
About the Jarama
The Lamborghini Jarama (pronounced ha-ra-ma) was one of the 2+2 Grand Touring cars when Lamborghini was transitioning from focusing on sporty cruisers to supercars.
The Jarama was the successor to the Islero for the US market. The Jarama was sold alongside the Espada even though they shared chassis architecture and served essentially the same purpose and market.
The Jarama is generally considered the ugliest Lamborghini ever despite it being designed by Marcello Gandini while at Bertone. Gandini also designed the beautiful Miura and the innovative Countach. I guess you can’t win them all!
Model Information
| First Model Year | 1970 |
| Last Model Year | 1976 |
| Engine Type | V12 |
| Induction | Naturally aspirated |
| Drivetrain | RWD |
| Layout | Front-engine |
| Engine Orientation | Longitudinal |
| Body Style | Coupé |
| Number of Doors | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 4 |
| Front Suspension | Double wishbone |
| Rear Suspension | Double wishbone |
| Steering Type | Worm and roller |
Video
Models
| Year Range | Power (BHP) | |
|---|---|---|
| Jarama (Original) | 1970–1973 | 350 |
| Jarama S / Jarama GTS | 1972-1976 | 365 |
Original Jarama
Weighing 3,200 lb (1,450 kg), the Jarama is heavier than the Islero. It’s powered by the same 3.9 L (3,929 cc) Lamborghini V12 engine used in the Islero and Espada, derived from the earlier 400 GT. It has six Weber 40 DCOE carburetors and is connected to the rear wheels by a five-speed manual transmission.
Lamborghini claimed the original Jarama model produced 350 bhp (260 kW). Early Jaramas have centre-locking magnesium alloy wheels, which were also used on the Miura and Espadas.
Jarama S / Jarama GTS
Introduced in 1972, the Jarama S (also known as Jarama GTS) featured a few minor body modifications, including a hood scoop, exhaust vents in the fenders, adjustments to the windshield’s position, and relocated turn signals. It also had new wheels on five-bolt hubs, identical to those on the Series 3 Espada.
Inside, there was an aluminium-trimmed redesigned dashboard, switches moved to the center console, added head and sound insulation, improved rear seats, and increased legroom.
Power-assisted steering was also standard on the Jarama S. Customers could opt for a removable roof panel and a Chrysler TorqueFlite automatic transmission.
A revised exhaust system, heads, and carburetors resulted in a power increase to 365 bhp (272 kW). Lamborghini produced 150 of this version.
Trivia
The Jarama was the favorite Lamborghini of the company’s founder.
Ferrucio Lamborghini, who founded Lamborghini in 1963, told Thoroughbred & Classic Car that his favorite Lamborghini was the Jarama.
“I preferred the Jarama to all the others,” Ferruccio Lamborghini answered, “because it is the perfect compromise between the Miura and the Espada.”
The styling of the Jamara was nearly identical to the Iso Lele, another Italian car.
Marcello Gandini designed the Jarama while working for Bertone. He also design the Iso Lele which came out a year prior. The two car look very similar, with half covered headlights, but the Jarama features a significantly lower stance.